Seeing Tropical Storm Andrea in the news and experiencing an unconfirmed tornado in my neighborhood a few weeks ago reminded me that the storm season is already here. We all know we should have a first aid kit, batteries, flashlights, food and water set aside for a possible disaster, but there are a few things that we don't thing about until we wish we had. Below are a few things I learned when we had the threat of Katrina and Rita a couple years ago.
Buy that weather/emergency band radio now. Test yours asap and if it isn't working, go get a new one. I can't stress that enough. If you wait much longer and live in an area that is prone to storms, you will not be able to find one or will have to buy a model you didn't really want.
Send copies of important documents to a trusted relative that lives in another part of the country. This was a no-brainer after Katrina and Rita, but before the storms, even businesses hadn't taken storm precautions and much information was lost.
Clean out the space in which you will be sheltering. Whether it is under the stairs or a closet, find a new summer home for all the "stuff" that has gatered in your emergency space.
Place your emergency kit in the place you will shelter down. No explanation needed.
Keep your cell phone charged. That phone may be your only way to reach someone in an emergency. It is easy to forget to charge up the phone with everyday activities, so get into the habit of charging your phone every night while you sleep.
Have an emergency contact. In case you are separated from your family and there is no way to know for sure where they are, make sure everyone knows to call Aunt Shirley to let them know where they are and that they are OK. It is a good idea to have that emergency contact number on you all the time. Place it in your wallet or something that you have with you at all times. In case of a fire, you should have a plan to evacuate the home and a place for everyone to meet such as the next door neighbor's front porch so that everyone can be accounted for.
Will you evacuate? Some areas will be evacuated in the event a hurricane is headed in your direction. If you are inland and have an option, what will you do? It would be good to sit down and discuss it, know your route and know where you can go based on the direction of the storm.
If you plan to evacuate you will need to have extra gas. Some believe this is a good idea and some think it is a disaster waiting to happen. You will have to weigh the pros and cons and make your own decision.
Last, but not of least importance sit down with your family and make sure everyone knows the plan. An emergency situation is never a pleasure to endure, but I hope these tips will help your planning go a little more smoothly.
